Smith, Bosman wins England

Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman shared a world record opening partnership of 170 off 81 balls in a South African total of 241 for six, the second-highest in Twenty20 internationals. The pair were in overdrive in South Africa's thumping 84-run win over England in the second and final Twenty20 international at SuperSport Park on Sunday.

Loots Bosman fell one blow short of recording only the second century in Twenty20 internationals, belting out nine 6's and four 4's in his 94 off 45 deliveries, while Graeme Smith made a statement of his own by hammering 88 from 44 balls, that included six 6's and eight boundaries. England narrowly won Friday's match by just one run, but were left gasping at a total of 157/8 in the second match, in their pursuit of the whopping 241-run target. Stand-in England captain Alastair Cook had a baptism of fire as sixes flew into the crowd. A total of 17 sixes and 19 fours were hit in the innings.

Only 14 runs were scored off the first three overs before Smith and Bosman went on the rampage, with 21 runs hit off Sajid Mahmood's first over. Another 72 runs were scored off the next four overs as Cook rotated his bowlers without success. With his regular bowlers taking a hammering, Cook turned to part-time spinner Joe Denly, who had Smith caught at long-on off his first ball. Three more batsmen, including man of the match Bosman, fell to catches in the deep as South Africa tried to maintain the momentum of the opening partnership.

In total the South Africans smacked 19 fours and a world-record 17 sixes to rattle along to a massive total of 241 for 6 - second only to Sri Lanka's 260 against the minnows of Kenya two years ago.

Collingwood's injury meant an earlier-than-planned return to action for star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who had not been expected to play before a 50-overs match against South Africa A after joining the touring party late following heel surgery. Yet, not even Pietersen's return could rescue them from humiliation, although he did at least chip in with two of their six sixes in reply. Pietersen made 29 off 19 balls, second only to Jonathan Trott, who top-scored with 51. England did manage to finish the innings with some dignity restored, as five wickets fell in five consecutive overs. At their turn at the crease though, there were never really in the game, with their first six being hit not until the ninth over, when they were 65/2 and the required run-rate was close to 3 runs a ball.